Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 109178 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109178 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
He and Grandpa had a long stare down.
“Jasper, you know that Kage is crazy and unpredictable.” The old man chuckled. “Just like an angry rash. Please back up a little before he spreads.”
Jasper took a few steps back, but kept the gun trained on Kage.
“Now, onto my second eldest grandson, and the last in this line of rejects. Ryder.”
Ryder had been looking down in silence at his black cowboy boots most of the time. A trail of smoke eddied from his lips as he slowly raised his head and adjusted his black cowboy hat just so.
“Ryder Levi Wilde, I’m most disappointed in you out of everyone here. It was you who I was planning to run my empire upon my death. “I needed someone young, but mature, and had tasted life. Younger than your father who’s fallen ill. You know business. You know the way this works. You’re smart! So, so smart. You have the right brain. The correct mindset. The look, too. You’re the total package. A cowboy, a gentleman, and a gangster all in one. The brawn and self-control, too. Nobody knows by just looking at you how incredible you are. You seem so laid back. Slow to anger.” A sinister smirk spread across Grandpa’s face. “And that’s what endears me most to you. We’re alike. The way you can walk into the room and have so many at ease, and yet, they don’t know an entire human tornado is in their midst.
“You’re vengeful. You’re wrath in the flesh. Focused. Determined. The dark horse of this stable. The Zoo needs you. Trottin’ about, proud as can be, but you have no clue as to where the hell you’re going. Instead of following my lead so that one day you could hold the reins to a life full of riches, you stay on a farm shoveling shit. Messin’ with horses, chickens, and cows. What was the point of you not taking your rightful place? You’ve got a dead wife and daughter. No immediate family. Time is of the essence. I need to show you all that I know, now. One day I’ll be gone. I’m not going to live forever, son.”
“And I can’t wait until that time comes,” Kage murmured. “Ding! Dong! The witch is dead. Oh fuckin’ happy day, like the Gospel says.”
“Shut the fuck up, Kage, and I mean it!” Jasper barked.
“Ryder, the offer still stands, but this dynasty of mine will go on with or without you. I just prefer it with you.”
“Get someone else. Not interested.”
“I don’t trust no outsiders ’cept for Jasper. We keep it in the family, and you know that. You’ve put me in a precarious situation, Ryder. You will have to accept this deal, or else.”
Ryder raised his cigar to his lips, took a puff, then rested it in the nearest ashtray on Grandpa’s desk. He took his time answering.
“Grandpa, I understand that you wanted to discuss with us our future with your company, as you call it. It was implied that the threatening phone calls, the men you send to follow us around and make life difficult at times over the years would stop, if we came to speak to you this fine day, and not put up a fight.”
Grandpa leaned forward and rested his arm on his desk as if he were really interested in what Ryder had to say.
“’Round two this mornin’, an armored truck came to my farm. A bunch of men jumped out. Faces covered. Guns drawn. My dogs were barking. The horses going crazy. I already had my gun ready, but then the door burst open, and I saw all those men, two of ’em holding Bruce, my new German Shepherd. He was dead. I figured some of the others were too since the barking had stopped. I was taken out at gunpoint and shoved in the back of one of those vehicles that were apparently bulletproof. I know because I tried to shoot my way out.” Ryder gave an easygoing chuckle, grabbed his cigar and dragged on it before placing it back down.
“I have no plans or desire to work for you, and killin’ some of my dogs definitely didn’t swing things in your favor. You don’t kill a man’s dog, and expect thangs to go hunky dory. I know that almost everyone born in this family is expected to help the family dynasty, in one way or another, but my soul ain’t for sale. I’ve told you once. I’ve told you twice. I’m not interested in what you’re sellin’, but you are my grandfather. My blood. And you have expectations.”
“Indeed I do, Ryder.”
“Well, ya see, Grandpa, I have expectations, too… Now, you can pull out all the stops. You can kill my livestock. My dogs. My favorite horses, too. You can make my life miserable, day in and day out. It could never be more miserable than it already is because ain’t no greater hurt than losin’ your wife and your baby, old man. I loved them, and that’s an emotion you know little about. Ain’t nothin’ you can do to me that’ll hurt me worse than the day my lady and my baby girl drowned in the river, so you go right on ahead and have Jasper here hand me that paper,” Ryder threw up his hands and smiled, “…but I promise you that nothin’ written on it, unless you have a way to bring my family back from the grave, will make me bow down to you. Not now, not never, and that’s a promise I plan to keep.”